The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of 30-year-old Lesotho national Zamikhaya Jonase, who was found guilty on two counts of rape involving elderly women aged 80 and 91 at the time of the attacks.
The Sterkspruit Regional Court sentenced Jonase to life imprisonment on each count, effectively ensuring he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The first incident occurred on 11 August 2016 in Hillside Village, Ntyinindini A/A, Sterkspruit, where an 80-year-old woman was attacked in her home after Jonase forcibly entered her residence. Despite initially resisting, the victim was overpowered, assaulted, and raped.
The second attack took place on 13 August 2023 in Jozana Village, Sterkspruit, where a 91-year-old woman was also raped in her home after waking up to find the accused on top of her bed, reportedly armed with a knife.
Jonase was later linked to both crimes through DNA evidence in June 2025 while already in custody at Sterkspruit Correctional Services on unrelated matters. He made his first court appearance in August 2025, and bail was denied throughout the proceedings.
Lieutenant General Ncata praised the investigative work that led to the conviction, highlighting the role of DNA technology and dedicated policing in securing justice.
“These were brutal, predatory attacks on our grandmothers, members of society who deserve protection and respect,” Ncata said, commending Detective Warrant Officer S.A. Mokheseng and the Sterkspruit Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for their work.
He added that the case demonstrates that justice has no expiry date and that offenders can be held accountable even many years after the crimes were committed.
The SAPS has urged survivors of sexual violence to come forward, assuring them that justice remains possible regardless of time elapsed
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